In a tough test and in an unfamiliar style, the Virginia women's soccer team took out in-state rival William & Mary, 1-0. The game was characterized by a tough, aggressive Tribe defense that took the Cavaliers out of their usual up-tempo offensive style.
"It wasn't fast-paced," Cavalier forward Lindsay Gusick said. "We fought really hard to get a goal, it was kind of ugly but whatever wins."
"William & Mary sat back a lot, looking to keep the score down," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "It was a very different game from Saturday's. These are the kinds of games you have to win, you have to grind them out."
The normal problems for Virginia (5-2-1) were not really a factor today. Usually, the Cavaliers place plenty of shots on goal, but their inability to finish off opportunities plagues them. The forceful style of William & Mary (6-3-1) limited the Cavaliers to just seven first half shots.
"They took us out of our game a little," Swanson said. "I don't think we had nearly enough good chances but that's a credit to William & Mary."
With about 25 minutes left in the second half, forward Lindsay Gusick broke the scoreless tie on a goal assisted by junior midfielder Kelly Worden. Worden lofted a long pass in the air right to the streaking Gusick who slid the ball under Tribe goalkeeper Courtney Owen, putting Virginia on top.
"They kept dropping back, so we were having a tough time scoring," Gusick said of the Tribe defense.
Gusick, who had entered the game just minutes before, has been a spark to the Cavalier offense. Gusick has scored four goals in Virginia's last three games.
"I think she's looking very dangerous," Swanson said of his freshman forward. "She's understanding her runs better and getting more confident in herself and what she can do. She's a strong player and it's nice that we can get that kind of production from her in her first year."
Gusick's goal proved all Virginia needed as it held on for the shutout win.
"It was a good result for us," Swanson said. "We desperately needed this win"
Read More
No. 2 men’s tennis advances to NCAA Round of 16
By Victoria Blankenship | 15 hours agoVirginia is once again headed back to the Round of 16, with all eyes on a championship defense.
Men’s basketball adds four transfers in three days
By Ben Istvan | 16 hours agoThe additions of Warley, Power, Saunders and Lang are building excitement about the future in Charlottesville.
No. 4 seed Virginia falls to No. 1 seed Notre Dame 18-9 in ACC Tournament semifinals
By Cole Huff | 2 days agoThe massacre made last weekend's near dethroning of the Fighting Irish seem like a fantasy.
